PRESS RELEASE12 October 2017EUCAP Somalia donates equipment to the Somali Police Force to help strengthen maritime securityToday, at a ceremony at the General Kahiye Police Academy in Mogadishu, EUCAP Somalia donated arange of assets, including IT equipment and training materials, to the Somali Police Force. The donatedequipment forms part of EUCAP Somalia’s ongoing support to help strengthen the Somali policecapability to prevent and counter maritime crime. The Police Headquarters, the Maritime Police Unit,Police Academy, and Criminal Investigation Department will all benefit from the donation. Following thehandover ceremony, the EUCAP Somalia Head of Mission met with the Somali Police ForceCommissioner and Deputy Commissioner to discuss the Mission's support to the Somali Police Force.Deputy Police Commissioner General Bashir said: "The Somali Police Force welcomes the generoussupport from the EU in general and EUCAP Somalia in particular. Maritime security is among the manychallenges Somalia faces. Illicit trade, human smuggling and environmental crimes often have a link toour shores and waters. We appreciate the support to counter these threats".EUCAP Somalia Head of Mission Maria-Cristina Stepanescu commented: "I am impressed by thededication and efforts of the Somali Police Force to create a lasting secure and stable environment forSomalia. EUCAP Somalia remains committed to continue to support these efforts. A more stable andsecure maritime domain also supports Somalia in making sustainable use of its marine resources for thebenefit of the Somali people”.BackgroundEUCAP Somalia is a civilian EU mission, under the auspices of the Common Security and Defence Policy,which assists Somalia in strengthening its capacity to ensure maritime security.